Big Akwa secures 25-year environmental permit for land-based rainbow trout farm in Ånge.
Swedish foodtech company Big Akwa has been granted a 25-year environmental permit to produce up to 6,000 tonnes of rainbow trout annually at its planned land-based aquaculture facility in the Alby industrial area, Ånge municipality.
The permit, issued by the County Administrative Board of Västernorrland, enables Big Akwa to proceed with detailed design and site preparation for its recirculating aquaculture system (RAS)-based facility, which is set to become operational in stages through 2029.
The project forms part of a broader industrial symbiosis initiative, integrating surplus heat and oxygen from nearby hydrogen production facilities to minimise environmental impact and improve resource efficiency. The facility will also support circular flows by recycling nutrients into by-products such as biochar, fertilisers, and microbial proteins.
“This permit gives us the certainty we need to move forward,” said Daniel Brännström, Technical Director at Big Akwa. CEO Elena Petukhovskaya called it the result of “intensive, goal-oriented collaboration” with Ånge municipality and industry consultants.
According to company founder Hugo Wikström, the model allows for significantly lower feed and energy input per kilo of fish, offering both environmental and economic benefits. The production is aimed at both domestic and export markets, with an emphasis on traceability and climate-positive outcomes.
Construction is expected to begin in 2026. The initiative is supported by a mix of private investors, public funding bodies, and technical partners.
Big Akwa was founded in 2020 and focuses on scalable, resource-efficient food production models based on industrial integration.
